n
an obviously attenuated frame. He seemed careworn and worried, and
Luke's heart, which could not tear itself away from the memories of
past kindness, ached to see the change.

"Would you," he asked insistently, "would you rather we went away,
Uncle Rad?"

The old man shifted about uneasily in his chair. He would not meet
Luke's eyes any more than he would take his hand just now.

"Jim and Edie," he said curtly, "are very ill-mannered, and Philip
feels----"

He passed his tongue over his lips which were parched and dry. A
look--it was a mere flash--almost of appeal passed from his eyes to
Luke.

"Then," said Luke simply, "it is this--this Philip whom Jim and Edie
have offended? Not you, Uncle Rad?"

"Philip is your uncle Arthur's son," rejoined Lord Radclyffe, speaking
like a fretful child in a thin voice that cracked now and again. "He
will be the head of the family presently----"

"Not," interposed Luke earnestly, "before many years are past, I trust
and pray for all our sakes, Uncle Rad----"

"The sooner," continued the old man, not heeding the interruption,
"those young jackanapes learn to respect him, the better it will be
for them."

"Jim and Edie have been a little spoiled by your kindness, sir. They
are finding the lesson a little hard to learn. Perhaps they had better
go and study elsewhere."

Lord Radclyffe made no reply. Silence was full of potent meaning; of
submission to another's more dominant personality, of indifference to
everything save to peace and quiet.

Suppressing a sigh of bitter disappointment, Luke rose to go.

"Then," he said, "the sooner I make all arrangements the better.
There's only the agreement for the flat to sign and we can move in
next week."

"Where's the flat?" queried the old man hesitatingly.

"In Exhibition Road, Kensington, close to the park. Edie loves the
park, and it won't be far from barracks for Jim."

"But you've no furniture. How will you furnish a flat? Don't go yet,"
continued Lord Radclyffe seeing that Luke was preparing to take his
leave. "Philip won't be here till tea time."

"I am afraid, sir, that I don't care to steal a few minutes of your
company, just when Philip is absent. I would rather not see you at all
than see you on sufferance."

"You are very obstinate and tiresome--and you make it so difficult for
me. I want to hear about the furniture--and how you are going to
manage."

"Lou is helping Edie to get what is wanted," replied Luk